How Police Are Using DNA Tagging Spray To Catch Moped Criminals

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The latest offender to fall foul of the Metropolitan Police’s new tactic against moped gangs is Mohammad Khaleghi, who was sprayed with DNA tagging spray as he rode his moped dangerously in London.

When police later caught up with him, a UV light exposed the spray and he was jailed for driving without a licence, failing to stop and dangerous driving.

Khaleghi rode along pavements in Camden, through red lights, against oncoming traffic and along cycle paths as he tried to get away from police in May this year.

A motorcycle officer managed to spray him with DNA spray, which would assist in proving he was the suspect. The spray is visible under UV light, stays on skin and clothing for weeks and helps link criminals to crimes.

Chief Inspector Jim Corbett said: “Khaleghi not only failed to stop for police but rode at speed through several red traffic lights. He took off his helmet and he continued to ride through bollards onto a cycle path and then on a pavement being used by pedestrians.

“His riding was extremely dangerous and he endangered other motorists and people as well as himself. Khaleghi thought that if he removed his helmet we would not continue to pursue. He was wrong. We continued in the pursuit and he was caught and has been jailed.”

Khalegi (pictured), 22, received a 10-month jail term at Southwark Crown Court on November 8.

There have been 28 arrests so far linked to the spray and several convictions.

In October, two men (Jack Green and Tarik Oliveira) were sprayed with DNA tagging spray after committing phone snatches on a moped and engaging police in a high-speed pursuit across London. They were each sentenced to over two years in prison.

In May, the spray helped to convict two moped offenders (Spencer Duarte and Abderrahman Hassan) in separate incidents in London. Both offenders were given jail sentences for their crimes.

Following West Yorkshire Police’s first use of the high tech tagging spray, teenager Connor Walker was convicted. Merseyside Police have previously secured two convictions using the spray.

The same DNA spray technology is also being used successfully by other police forces across the UK to tackle the problem including West Midlands Police, Cheshire Constabulary, Merseyside Police, Surrey Police, West Yorkshire Police and Police Scotland.

(Images courtesy of Met Police).

For further information and images contact: Angela Singleton, Press Officer for Selectamark.